Family histories with citations for reference and research -- Searching: I use original spellings from various sources. -- "It is a revered thing to see an ancient castle not in decay; how much more to behold an ancient family which has stood against the waves and weathers of time!" - Francis Bacon.

G23: 5910048 Grey-Verdun

~1268, Maud born in England, d/o 9994760. John de Verdun & 11820099. Eleanor de Bohun.

8/19/1274 at Westminster abbey, Edward I crowned king of England.

1285, Maud heir to her brother Humphrey de Verdun, clerk.

2/26/1286, Pardon to Reginald de Grey and John de Grey and their households, of their trespasses in taking deer … counties of Nottingham, Northampton, Huntingdon and Rutland during the late troubles in England. (S) CPRs.

2/20/1290, Chirograph between John de Sancto Johanne, lord of Hannak, and John de Monte Alto, … Witnesses:- Sir Reginald de Grey, Sir John de Grey his son, … (S) CPRs.

3/20/1295, Grant to John de Grey, to the use of one of his daughters of the marriage of the son and heir of John de Sancto Petro. (S) CPRs. [John also granted custody of the lands of Urian de Sancto Petro during the mninority of the heir.]

12/7/1297, Commission to John de Grey and Richard de Mascy, to array 300 Welsh foot in the lands of Maylorsexneth, Hope and Englefeld, … valley of Mold, and deliver them Durham or Newcastle on Tyne to march against the Scots. (S) CPRs. [John, earl of Surrey, was captain of the expedition.]

7/22/1301, Sir Reginald de Grey, John de Grey his banneret, 3 knights and 23 horsemen in the retinue of Edward, prince of Wales in Scotland.

By 1307, John’s father died.

2/25/1308, Edward II crowned king of England.

1308, John age 40.

1308-1322, John summoned to parliament by writ.

5/4/1308, Mandate … to deliver the castle of Ruffyn, … to John de Grey, son and heir of Reginald de Grey, deceased, … Walter de Gloucester … power to receive fealty from the heir. (S) CPRs.

8/4/1309, Commission to John de Grey … touching the liberties and customs granted to the Welshmen of Hope … (S) CPRs.

1310, John founded a collegiate church at Ruthin, Denbighshire. [The charter names John de Grey's wife, Maud, and his parents, Reynold and Maud de Grey.]

1311, John settled 13 additional manors on his son Roger.

11/18/1311, Licence for John de Grey to grant to John Amory and William de Beneford the castle of Ruffyn with the cantred of Doffrincloit, together with the lands late of Wenthlian de Lacy, and the manor of Riston, co. Chester, … them to regrant … remainders over to his son Roger … (S) CPRs.

12/31/1312, Writ of aid directed to Roger de Mortuo Mari, justice of Wales, for John de Grey, … the justices appointed to enquire into the complaint of Griffin de la Pole. (S) CPRs.

6/24/1314, John at the battle of Bannockburn. King Edward II lost the battle to Robert Bruce. As the English attacked across the brook, Robert counter-attacked along a 2000-yard front. Edward attempted to flank the Scot’s left with archers, but they were driven back the Scot cavalry. The English front broke against the Scottish spearmen. It was the largest loss of English knights in a single day.

10/2/1315, Mandate in pursuance to John de Grey, justice of North Wales. (S) CPRs.

2/11/1316, Mandate to John de Grey, justice of North Wales, to permit the men of the town of Kaernarvan to buy corn … within the country of Angleseie and take them to Kaernarvan, provided they do the due customs. (S) CPRs.

1319, John settled the castle and lordship of Ruthin on his son Roger.

6/1320, John with the King in France. [King Edward travelled to France to perform homage for his French lands in Gascony and Ponthieu to his overlord and brother-in-law, King Philip V.]

6/9/1320, Establishment of a chantry in the chapel at Thurleigh, for the souls of the said John, Matilda his wife, John his grandfather, Reginald his father and Matilda his mother.

2/14/1322, Writ of aid for Lewelin ap Maddok to raise 400 footment of the land of John de Grey of Diffrencloyt; mandate to the said John, or his bailiff, to deliver the said force … (S) CPRs.

4/9/1322, John de Grey, lord of Diffryncloyt, to raise 200 footment. (S) CPRs.

1322, John with the King in Scotland.

4/12/1323, John de Grey, lord of the land of Driffyn Cloyt, to raise 200 footment. (S) CPRs.

10/28/1323, John de Grey of Ruthyn, holding lands in England and Wales, died. [Richard de Grey of Codenore licenced to take 20 does in the woods for the burying of the body of the said John, as well as to take fish in the stews and fisheries of the said John for the said occasion. (S) CPRs, 11/18/1323.]